Soprano Songs and Arias

Ana María Martínez has been on the verge of a major singing career for several years now, but two events near the end of 2005 marked her crossing of that threshold: a Metropolitan Opera debut, as Micaela in Carmen, and the release of this scintillating solo recital of arias and songs. The/i>/a>

Overview

Ana María Martínez has been on the verge of a major singing career for several years now, but two events near the end of 2005 marked her crossing of that threshold: a Metropolitan Opera debut, as Micaela in Carmen, and the release of this scintillating solo recital of arias and songs. The Martínez discography to date has consisted of fairly obscure works, so even if you admired the soprano's portrayal of Queen Guinevere in Albéniz's opera Merlin, you might not have made the connection when she also appeared in Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Naomi and Ruth -- if you happened to hear either of those recordings in the first place. But this recital allows Martínez to reveal a vocal identity, rich with versatility and personality, and to show off her gifts in one highly gratifying package. Her lyric-dramatic voice is well served by the three Puccini arias, and Gounod's "Je veux vivre" is a convincing display of girlish glee; but better than these overly familiar numbers are Martínez's forays into more individual material. Heitor Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 has rarely sounded more luminous; this performance of the well-loved piece is as fine as any available. As the album's highlight, though, it's rivaled by the languorous "Baïlèro" from Canteloube's Chants d'Auvergne and an invigorating zarzuela aria, "De España vengo," by Pablo Luna. After hearing this album, you may wonder how you've managed to miss Martínez until now, but here's the punch line: These wonderful recordings were made more than five years ago. Kudos, in any case, to Naxos for making them available at last -- and at a price that no opera lover should resist.

Editorial Reviews

This solo recital...is further confirmation of [Martinez's] gifts.... There is nothing half-hearted in her delivery of this eclectic programme.

Time Out New York - Marion Lignana Rosenberg

[Martínez's] new CD of soprano chestnuts, recorded in 2000, showcases her feisty personality and beguiling timbre -- dark but with a pearly sheen and gleaming top notes, sometimes reminiscent of Angela Gheorghiu.